Revelations



  • The grass bristled softly in the chill winter winds, the plains free from the coming snow for atleast a few hours more. In the distance, a caravan passed, trying to make it within the safety of the Jiyyd walls before nightfall, as farmers ceased their works and headed for hearth and home. It had been a good day, freed from snow and blessed with the sun's warmth. They looked curiously upon the caravan, maybe to learn what goods it held, or who travelled with, and where it came from. News from the outside world was always welcomed, especially if brought by an eager bard. The evening proved to become bountifull still…

    On the hill overlooking both the town and the valley a lone figure watched the commotion, like a hunter watching prey. Unseen, unheard, the figure stood, and watched. It watched as the caravan came, it watched as the gates were closed and manned for the coming night, and it watched as the citizens of the proud Commonwealth gathered for feast. Silently, it raised it's gaze up to the sky. The sun was setting quick.

    "Too fast… don't look. Don't see the sun... the shadows come too fast."

    The shadows! The figure stirred, it's fiery eyes glancing down the hill. Someone was coming. Maybe this was it's chance once again. Silently, it slid into the shadows, merged with them, unseen, unheard, waiting… a hunter for it's prey.

    "No… run! Hide! It is forsaken... I am..."

    Marna rushed up the hill as fast she could, before the night would fall completely. Gleeful, her heart beating strong within, eager to catch the last glimpse of the sun as it would pass over the woods and into the valley. Already, she could hear Thomas call for her to return. With a smile, she rushed on, waving a hand towards him in salute. It had been such a beatiful day, the least she could do was see the last of it and praise Lathander for making it so.

    "Foolish girl! Begone from here! By the Gods…."
    "Silence wench!"

    It roared within. In silence, it raged in turmoil, trying to beat down the plea, to remember the cause…

    "The cause… yes, the promise. It must be fulfilled. The cause..."

    As the last rays from the sun vanished from the sky, it struck. It shot through the shadows, unheard, lured by the pulse from a beating heart, disgusted. And as the last signs of life faded from the young girl's eyes, her face contorted in silent scream, it lunged forward, to take that heart, that heart that was so joyfully silent, for it's own. And when the last cries of agony died within, when the night fell dark and the first wolves howled in the distance , it rose once again and howled along. It's voice now. Marna's voice. The voice of the dead eternal…

    "The cause. It will be fulfilled, the betrayal punished. The cause…"

    There was nothing else, no other reason to be, only the cause for which it had come. The betrayal would be punished for. The Tormite would suffer.

    In the distance, the skies blackened as clouds obscured every light the moon could offer. They roared with the thunder of the coming storm, almost in deep laughter. Tonight, the shadows would claim the lands again. Tonight, the knight would learn again that death was no escape, that Gods do not forget their words to mortals. Tonight, the knight would see, and suffer….